OK so the window closes and thankfully I feel we are in a stronger position than when it opened. Question is with our bigger squad what do you think our best eleven will be? I think I'd go with Forster Clyne Fonte Toby Bertrand Vic Morgan JWP Tadic Pelle Mane Subs Boruc Gardos Davis Cork Reed Long Jrod Cant find room for these even on the bench. Targett Maya Gallagher Mayuka Isgrove Sims and Mcqueen. Thoughts?
Firstly, fantastic business this summer, after an awful opening to the window, the club has delivered quality targets all over the field. Interesting one is the centre back spots, Yes we lost Lovren for £20m, but replaced with Gardos and Alderweireld, along with Fonte so will ROKO go with the favoured dutch mentality of 3 centre backs. Certainly gives us more options. Bertrand and Clyne are made for that system. If we did go with it just hope we are more successful than United have been so far ! With Mane coming in we were desperate for some pace, be interesting to see how he fits in. I am now very optimistic for the new season, it will take the new boys time to settle and for that reason alone, I would be more than happy with top 10 finish and a decent cup run (or two). The midfield is littered with options. Interesting statement from ROKO sticking Cork on instead of Big Vic sat, was chuffed Cork was instrumental in our third goal. We seem to have cover all over the park now, and great for Pelle to find his scoring boots. On that note, its amazing how fans are sad to see Gaston go as felt he needed more time (he had 2 years), yet some wrote Pelle off after 2 games ! COYR
Potentially Targett replacing Bertrand as we move into the season, as at the Millwall game I formed the view that he is physically stronger while also competent going forward (Betrand is a bit lightweight IMO). I think we need davis or cork in the line up, given their ability to recycle the ball in tight areas and given what they give to the team in terms of energy and pressing. JWP and Vic are less mobile. I'm also not sure whether RK is planning to keep one right sided centre half and one left sided centre half in the line up, in which case the alternatives would be Gardos or Yoshida and Toby or Fonte. Also difficult to see where Mane slots in precisely without having seen him play. I suspect it will take a few substitute apeparances before he slots into the first XI.
If we revert to 3 at the back , I reckon it could look like: Forster Toby Fonte Gardos Clyne wanyama morgan Mane Tadic Pelle Long
I still think Boruc is no worse than Forster. Boruc Clyne Fonte Yoshida Bertrand Wanyama Schneiderlin Ward-Prowse Tadic Rodriguez Pelle
Forster Clyne Fonte Toby Bertrand Morgan JWP Davis (Vic for the big boys) Long/Rodriguez Pelle Tadic Mane to provide impact. Cork to provide fresh legs. Good cover in the shape of Gardos and Yoshida too
They are both very good keepers, but very different ones. Boruc is all about distribution and shot-stopping, while Forster is a modern sweeper-keeper who is strong at organising his defence.
I'm going to have to think about this. We have a problem we probably haven't had for about 20 years, strength in depth! Ronald is going to have his work cut out deciding on the best starting lineup for different situations: do we match Pelle against the teams with big CB's, or use speed and guile to get round and through them? Do we play 3 at the back in certain games? I think the point is, we now, for the first time in ages, have the opportunity to play a slightly different starting 11 depending on who we are facing, without a drop in quality. Great times to be a Saints fan!
Forster Clyne Fonte Toby Bertrand Wanyama Morgan JWP Tadic Mané Pellè Boruc Gardos Targett Cork Davis Long Gallagher (jrod when fit) Why are people putting Yoshida in the first XI?? Everyone slags him off, then we replace him and he is apparently quality?! Adequate backup but not a starter!
Forster Clyne Alderweireld Fonte Bertrand Schneiderlin Wanyama JWP Rodriguez Pelle Tadic Subs: Boruc Gardos Davis Cork Gallagher Mane Long
Indeed it would, and harsh not to play Alderweireld in his proper position too. So let's put him at CB instead of Yoshida, which is where he plays.
Ronald said Toby can play RB but it is not his best position (you'll have to imagine the lisp ). However, TA can play right or left CB, so I think (depending on what Ron sees in training) that Toby will play beside Fonte. Feel sorry for the other CBs, but they will get some game time during a long hard season.
Sorry about that... I should know really. I just got used to him playing at right-back for Belgium at the World Cup. That's my excuse!
It depends on who and where we are playing. The team we put out against Stoke at Home probably wouldn't be the same as the one we put out against Man City Away.
